3.5 tonnes of pine tree bark was seized. – Photo tuoitre.vn

GIA LAI – Forest rangers in Gia Lai Province announced on Thursday they had arrested a trader for buying 3.5 tonnes of pine tree bark.

38-year-old Phạm Minh Ngọc was caught on Wednesday while transporting the tree bark to a house at 36 Ung Văn Khiêm Street, Pleiku City, Tuổi trẻ (Youth) newspaper reported. 

Ngọc admitted she had bought the bark in Đắk Đoa District to ship to northern provinces.

It was resold to Chinese traders at VNĐ8,000 ( 34 US cents) per kilogramme.

The case is being investigated further.

According to the department, the trade of pine tree bark has emerged recently. It is said to be sold to China or used to plant orchids.

At the end of April, Ia Grai District People’s Committee reported to provincial authorities about the destruction of a protected in Ia Dêr Commune.

Some 600 pine trees planted in 1978 had their bark removed, and 80 of them had died.

Phan Trung Tường, deputy head of Ia Grai District, said the bark might be used for orchid plantations. – VNS